: Support from the Branch Line

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-07-31

Ning Zhuo took the lead, pushing open the courtyard gate first.

Behind him were over twenty classmates. Ning Chen and Ning Yong followed closest.

Wang Lan was the last to hurry out, closing the courtyard gate behind her.

But in truth, even before they all left the courtyard, a large number of message talismans had already flown out.

This was because Ning Zhuo had asked everyone to spread the news as much as possible before heading to the ancestral hall, ensuring it became widely known.

These talismans scattered mid-air, rapidly spreading like countless small stones thrown into the large pond of the Ning Clan's territory.

The impact began to ripple outward.

"Young Clan Leader Ning Xiaoren wants to recruit Ning Zhuo as a lackey, so he framed Ning Zhuo's uncle?"

"The Young Clan Leader actually imprisoned Ning Ze and threatened him with his life and freedom?"

"Is this news fake?"

"This is too outrageous! Who started this rumor?"

"Hmph, hasn't Ning Xiaoren done plenty of excessive things before?"

"Even so, if he really did this, it's way over the line, right?"

Even members of the main lineage felt that Ning Xiaoren had gone too far, completely crossing the line!

According to the rumors, Ning Zhuo's father, Ning Zhong, was Ning Xiaoren's savior. Ning Xiaoren had even promised to support Ning Zhuo before Ning Zhong went off to battle.

But in reality, over the decade-plus of Ning Zhuo's growth, Ning Xiaoren hadn't provided any resources, breaking his promise entirely.

When Ning Zhuo displayed his talent and potential in mechanisms, Ning Xiaoren saw value in recruiting and winning him over.

To make up for his past negligence, he schemed to frame Ning Zhuo's uncle, fabricating claims that the uncle had embezzled the resources meant for Ning Zhuo, turning Ning Zhuo and Ning Ze's family against each other.

Ning Zhuo achieved significant success in exploring the immortal palace, but Ning Xiaoren handled rewards and punishments unfairly. Angered, Ning Zhuo withdrew from the modification team. In response, Ning Xiaoren threatened Ning Ze with his life and freedom, forced Wang Lan to kneel publicly, and pressured Ning Zhuo to submit.

Is this something a Young Clan Leader should do?

Is this the behavior of a righteous cultivator?

If true, as the Ning Clan's Young Clan Leader and a high-ranking member, using such methods against his own clansmen makes him utterly unworthy of his position.

"If Ning Xiaoren really did this, he's completely out of control!"

"He wouldn't actually do something this stupid, would he?"

"I feel like it's more likely Ning Zhuo is slandering him."

The name Ning Zhuo had been frequently heard among the Ning Clan members lately.

Ning Zhuo was once an unnoticed minor figure from the branch line but suddenly rose to prominence during the three-family joint test.

If his exceptional adaptability to the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art made people envy his luck, then after he displayed his talent, most began to view his future positively.

And after Ning Zhuo repeatedly helped his classmates, more and more people developed a faint favorable impression of him.

Recently, his exploration of the immortal palace, reaching the eighth level, made him an overnight sensation!

After all, this achievement completely overshadowed Ning Xiaohui. The key point was that Ning Zhuo was from the branch line, while Ning Xiaohui was from the main line. This made branch line members, usually suppressed, secretly delighted upon hearing the news.

Their joy didn't last long before they heard about Ning Zhuo suffering unfair treatment and voluntarily leaving the modification team.

Although Ning Xiaoren deliberately spread misinformation to twist public opinion, the broader branch line members kept discussing the "unfair treatment."

Many branch line members expressed sympathy and admiration for Ning Zhuo's decision to leave.

However, some branch line members privately disliked Ning Zhuo.

"When facing suppression from the main line, I backed down, I conceded. But you stand firm, publicly resisting. Compared to you, Ning Zhuo, what does that make me?"

Human hearts are微妙 just that微妙.

Ning Zhuo's situation was already a hot topic recently discussed by the entire clan.

Now, with this explosive news about Ning Xiaoren and Ning Ze suddenly spreading, public opinion was like pouring oil onto a burning fire.

With a roar, the flames exploded, raging fiercely!

Word spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, a hundred to a thousand...

"If the Young Clan Leader really did this, his character is truly awful."

"Is it true or not?"

"Ning Zhuo and his group are heading to the ancestral hall right now. Let's go see for ourselves!"

"Let's go! I'm from the branch line too, I've been bullied and marginalized by the main line before. I want to support Ning Zhuo!"

Countless clan members set off towards the Ning Clan's ancestral hall.

From a bird's-eye view, one could see clansmen emerging from their homes, converging on streets and paths, forming streams of people all heading towards the ancestral hall.

"What's going on?" The elder guarding the ancestral hall sensed something amiss.

Ning Zhuo's group hadn't even arrived yet, but other clan members were already gathering at the hall.

"Outrageous! Gathering here for no reason, disturbing the ancestors' peace! What are you trying to do?" The ancestral hall elder stepped out, scolding the assembled clansmen.

Some clan members showed fear.

A branch line steward stepped forward from the crowd, first bowing to the elder, then said, "Elder, a major event has occurred."

"We must get to the bottom of it today."

"Otherwise, if someone is wronged, and our ancestors knew of it in the afterlife, they would be furious, criticizing us, their descendants, for being unfilial."

The ancestral hall elder frowned deeply. He had invoked the ancestors, but this steward also used the ancestors' name.

The elder looked quite displeased. "Ning Xiangguo, what exactly has happened?"

The outspoken Ning Xiangguo concisely and quickly summarized the entire incident.

The ancestral hall elder's face changed slightly.

He was from the main line, and as the elder guarding the ancestral hall, he held a core position among the higher-ups. He was quite familiar with Ning Xiaoren's behavior.

"Given the Young Clan Leader's temperament, he might actually do something like this."

"At this time... is there still a chance to fix it?"

Thinking this, the elder nodded slightly, his expression softening. He addressed the crowd, "As the ancestral hall elder, I have always acted impartially."

"Since this matter has reached such a point, we shall invite the Clan Leader and the other elders to witness."

"You all have the right to observe, but what kind of example is it, crowding the entrance?"

"Disperse for now. Let my subordinates open the three gates and prepare the venue for you to be seated."

"You, quickly notify the Clan Leader and the other elders!" The elder openly sent a subordinate to report.

In the time it took to say this, another large group of clansmen arrived at the ancestral hall.

The elder secretly clicked his tongue. "This is definitely an event that shakes the entire clan."

"It's hard to imagine it was stirred up by a mere Qi Refinement third-level youth."

The elder knew he could only go with the flow. Suppressing it was impossible; even delaying slightly might lead to clansmen secretly accusing him of negligence.

As a main line member, he could only hope Ning Zhuo was falsely accusing Ning Xiaoren, that he truly hadn't done these things.

The Clan Leader soon learned the news, startling him so much he stood up from his seat.

As a father, he knew Ning Xiaoren's behavior all too well.

He immediately cast a spell, sending a talisman to notify Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren was in seclusion, replenishing his energy, and was annoyed by the interruption.

However, he quickly recognized his father's handwriting and grew curious. "What does Father want, so urgently..."

"Ah!" After reading the talisman's content, Ning Xiaoren shot up as if his backside was on fire.

"That little brat Ning Zhuo is trying to ruin me!"

Ning Xiaoren had no mind to continue cultivating. He shoved open the密室 door and ran out.

He rushed at full speed towards the private prison.

In this critical, urgent moment, Ning Ze was the key figure.

As long as Ning Ze compromised, denied everything, Ning Xiaoren still had hope.

But when he reached the private prison, he found it surrounded by a group of branch line clansmen.

"Step aside!" Ning Xiaoren shouted. "Gathering here, are you causing trouble?"

The branch line clansmen, seeing the Young Clan Leader, grew somewhat flustered.

But then an elderly voice spoke, "Young Clan Leader, you're too late. This old man has already brought Ning Zhuo's uncle out."

Ning Xiaoren's heart sank. He saw the crowd part, revealing an old man slowly walking out. Behind him was a bewildered Ning Ze.

Seeing the old man, Ning Xiaoren's vision darkened. He still bowed respectfully, saying with difficulty, "Elder Fu."

The old man, Ning Youfu, was from the branch line and had once served as the Talisman Hall elder, earning considerable prestige.

Ning Xiaoren tried one more effort. "Elder Fu, you might not know, this is all Ning Zhuo's scheme. Ning Ze is suspected in multiple embezzlement cases and has been under investigation. Ning Ze's wife, Wang Lan, repeatedly begged me to release him, but I refused, as the investigation isn't complete."

Ning Youfu chuckled at Ning Xiaoren. "I am taking Ning Ze with me, Young Clan Leader. If you wish to stop me, you'll have to step over this old man's corpse."

Ning Xiaoren quickly said, "How dare I, how dare I! Elder Fu, you jest and misunderstand me."

"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, the ancestral hall will provide answers. Young Clan Leader, after you." As he spoke, Ning Youfu, leading Ning Ze, had already walked through the crowd and stood before Ning Xiaoren.

Ning Xiaoren gritted his teeth, wanting to stand his ground. But under the public gaze, facing the highly prestigious Ning Youfu, he could only take a step back and yield the path.

Ning Youfu laughed heartily and continued on his way.

Once he passed Ning Xiaoren's shoulder, Ning Xiaoren's expression changed, glaring fiercely at Ning Ze as if warning him—if you say anything you shouldn't, you're finished!

Ning Ze quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet Ning Xiaoren's eyes.

His mind was filled with confusion; Ning Youfu hadn't explained much to him either.

"So, what exactly is happening?!"

Ning Zhuo led the large group through the clan territory.

Compared to when they left the residence, Ning Zhuo's group had more than doubled, with at least fifty additional people.

Moreover, as Ning Zhuo continued, more people joined the procession.

People chattered, asking Ning Zhuo many questions, full of curiosity.

Ning Zhuo, with an angry expression, kept responding.

Ning Yong was somewhat dissatisfied and whispered to Ning Zhuo privately, "Brother Zhuo, stopping and going like this, answering everyone's questions, is slowing us down too much."

Ning Zhuo just glanced at Ning Yong without explaining.

Ning Chen, however, transmitted his voice, "Fool! In this situation, the more people who know, the better. The more support we have, the more likely we are to succeed. Understand?"

Ning Yong gasped softly, nodding repeatedly. "Got it, got it."

(End of )